Beverage dispenser



July 20, 1965 s. NICKQ 3,195,779

( BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed April 29, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet l r I i I 92 90I L 98M i! 25 1 Q f 3U 1 I i I Y INVEN'IIOR. I G Stanley fZzc/ea Mawd/MXM W7 azz 'L s July 20, 1965 s. NICKO 3,195,779

BEVERAGE DISPENSER FIG, 3

INVENTOR.

Stanley Nicko QMZMWMM dag 5 July 20, 1965 s. NICKO 3,195,779

BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed April 29, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Stanley i'lz'cko United States Patent 9,195,779 BEVERAGE DiSlENSERStanley Niche, Qhicago, Ill, assignor to Finite Ice Machines, 1110.,Chicago, Ill., a corporation or Illinois Filed Apr. 2d, 1963, Ser. No.276,515 11 Claims. ((31. 222-$2) This invention relates to a beveragedispenser which is particularly useful for dispensing beer and othercarbonated beverages.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improveddevice for dispensing carbonated beverages from cans or similarcontainers of relatively small capacity, such as one gallon, forexample.

Another object is to provide a new and improved beverage dispenser inwhich the beverage is supplied in cans having openings which are sealedinitially with closure plugs made of rubber or rubberlike material.

A further object is to provide a beverage dispenser in which thebeverage to be dispensed is withdrawn from the cans by means of tappingpipes which are adapted to penetrate the rubber plugs mounted in theopenings in the cans.

A further object is to provide a beverage dispenser in which each can isprovided with two openings closed with rubber plugs, one plug beingadapted to receive a tapping pipe for withdrawing the beverage while theother plug is adapted to receive a tapping pipe through which carbondioxide (CO under pressure is introduced into the can to providepressure for dispensing the beverage.

Another object is to provide new and improved beverage cans havingrubber closure plugs, each of which is formed with an imperforatediaphragm, together with means forming a recess for receiving theremnantof the diaphragm after the diaphragm has been punctured by a tappingpipe. It is a further object to provide a new and improved rubber orrubberlike closure plug of the foregoing character which is constructedand arranged to prevent any leakage between the tapping pipe and theplug, and also to prevent the tapping pipe from being pushed outwardlythrough the plug by the force produced by the CO pressure in the can.

A further object is to provide such a new and improved rubber plug whichis formed with a lower sleeve portion having a bore therein which isinitially of a substantially smaller diameter than the tapping pipe, sothat the sleeve portion will be stretched substantially by the insertionof the tapping pipe, the sleeve portion being adapted to grip thetapping pipe tightly, due to the stretching of the sleeve and also dueto the pressure of the CO on the sleeve.

Another object is to provide a new and improved beverage dispenseradapted to dispense carboncd beverages from sealed can of small size sothat the dispensed beverage will always be fresh and will be preventedfrom going hat or stale.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear fromthe following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser to be described asan illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but with the front coveror door swung open to show the interior of the compartment which holdsthe beverage cans.

FIG. 3 is a central elevational section of the beverage dispenser, takengenerally along the line 33 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the beverage dispenser with the covers removedto show the interior construction.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical section, taken through one of thebeverage cans.

3,l95,77 Patented July 20, 1965 FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section,taken through one of the rubber plugs, generally along the line 6-6 inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section, showing the closure plug in its originalimperforate condition.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rubber closure plug.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic elevational view, showing the dispensing systememployed in the beverage dispenser.

It will be seen that FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the general construction of abeverage dispenser 10 which is useful for dispensing beveragesgenerally, but is particularly well adapted for dispensing beer andother carbonated beverages. The illustrated dispenser 10 is housed in acabinet 12. One or more faucets 14 may be provided at the front of thecabinet 12 for dispensing the beverage. Each faucet 14 is equipped witha swingable handle 16 which may be operated to control the flow of thebeverage from the faucet. The illustrated dispenser It) is provided withtwo of the faucets 14.

The illustrated cabinet 12 is provided with three main compartments 2t22 and 24, as shown to best advantage in FIG. 3. The compartment 20 islocated in the front portion of the cabinet 12 and is adapted to holdcans 26 or other similar containers of the beer or other beverage to bedispensed. The compartment 22 is located in the upper rear portion ofthe cabinet 12 and is adapted to hold a bottle or cylinder 28 containingC0 The compartrnent 24 is in the lower rear portion of the cabinet 12and is adapted to hold a compressor, condenser, an expansion valve andother equipment (not shown) for refrigerating the main compartment 29.Louver openings 29 may be formed in the sides of the cabinet 12 toprovide for ventilation for the refrigeration compartment 24.

As shown, the front compartment 2% has a door or lid 38 which is adaptedto be swung upwardly on hinges 32 to provide easy access to thecompartment 24 The door 30 is shown closed in FIG. 1 and open in FIG. 2.It will be seen that the door 30 comprises a horizontal top panel orWall 34, an inclined front panel or wall 36, and a vertical front panel33. The walls or panels 34, 3-6 and 38 are preferably provided withinsulation MB to reduce the entry of heat into the refrigeratedcompartment 24 Gaskets 42 may be provided around the edges of the door30 to prevent the movement of air into and out of the compartment 29when the door is closed.

The front compartment 2i) has a stationary front wall 44, a bottom wall46, and a rear wall 4%. insulation 50 may also be provided in the walls44 46 and 43. As shown to advantage in FIG. 3, cooling coils 52 for thecirculation of refrigerant are provided in the rear wall 50 of thecompartment 20. Cooling coils may also be provided in the front andbottom walls 44- and 46, if desired. The rear wall 43 forms a partitionbetween the front compartment 2i) and the rear compartments 22 and 24.

The cabinet 12 has a rear wall 56 which closes the rear sides of thecompartments 22 and 24. A horizontal partition 5% is provided betweenthe upper and lower rear compartments 22 and 24. It will be seen thatthe upper rear compartment 22 is closed at the top by a lid or door 60which is swingable upwardly on hinges 62 to provide easy access to theCO cylinder or tank 28 so that the cylinder may be changed when the COis exhausted. Cradles or pillow blocks 64 are mounted on the partition53 to support the CO cylinder 28.

The illustrated cabinet 12 is provided with feet 68 for elevating thecabinet above the supporting surface 70 on which the cabinet is placed.A drip pan '72 projects for wardly from the lower front portion of thecabinet and is removably mounted on the cabinet for catching anyquantity of the beverage which may drip or spill from the faucets 14.The upper side of the pan 72 is closed by a removable screen 74 whichmay be made of per- The pan '72 may be from the shutoff valve 78 to apressure reducing and regulating valve 82. The initial CO pressure inthe cylinder 28 is higher than necessary or desirable for pressurizingthe beverage cans 25. By means of the pressure regulating valve 82, thepressure is reduced and maintained The pressure regulatconstant at asuitable low value. ing valve 82 may be provided with a rotatableadjusting shaft or knob 84 for changing the pressure setting of thevalve. A low pressure outlet tube or pipe 86 leads from the pressureregulating valve 82. As illustrated, a pressure gauge 88 is connected tothe outlet pipe 86 to indicate the CO pressure at the outlet or" theregulating valve 82. The gauge 88 facilitates the adjustment of thepressure regulating valve 82 and gives assure that the regulating valveis operating properly. gauge 88 gives an indication when the CO in thecylinder 23 is nearly exhausted. Thus, when the pressure shown by thegauge 88 starts to drop below the normal value, it is an indication thatthe CO cylinder 28 is nearly empty and will soon have to be replaced.

The CO from the regulating valve 82 'is supplied to the beverage cans 26by flexible hoses or tubes 99 which may be made. of various plastics orother suitable materials. A shutoif valve 92 is connected between theoutlet pipe 86 and each hose 90. The valve 9?; may be closed to preventloss of CO when the corresponding can 26 is being replaced.

A tapping'pipe 94 may be employed to introduce the CO into each can 26,as will be described in greater detail shortly. In this case, a checkvalve 96 is connected between each tapping pipe 94 and the correspondinghose 9%) to prevent reverse flow of fluids out of the tapping pipe 94and into the hose 9!). The check valve 96 is constructed and'arranged tooffer no substantial resistance to the flow of CO from the hose 9i) andthrough the pipe 94 into the can 26. However, the check valve 96preventsthe flow of CO .or the beverage from the can 26 and through thepipe 94- into the hose 9%. In the ab- Moreover, the

generally are flat and circular in shape. Conventional or suitablecrimped or soldered joints 112 may be employed between the side wall 1%and the end walls 1% and 110. 7 Q i To provide for the insertion of thetapping pipes 94 and 98, the top wall 183 'of each of the illustratedcans 26 is formed with two openings 114 and 116, preferably circular inshape. in this case, one of the openings 114 is located centrally in thetop wall 1% While the other opening 116 is located close to the sidewall 196. As shown, the tapping pipe 94 for the CO extends through thecentral opening 114, while the tapping pipe 98 for the beverage extendsthrough the opening 116.

The tapping pipe 94 for introducing the C0 into the 7 can 26 ispreferably relatively shortso as to extend downwardly into the can onlya short distance below the top wall 1%. This arrangement prevents the COfrom bubbling through the beverage, which might tend to cause excessivefoaming of the beverage. The other tapping pipe 98 for withdrawing thebeverage preferably is considerably longer so as to extend to a pointadjacent the bottom wall lltlof the can 26. t In this way, virtually allof the beverage may be removed from the can. i

As shown to advantage in FIGS; 5-8, each of the openings 11% and 11a isclosed and sealed initially by a closure plug 126 which may be made ofrubber, synthetic rubber, or other rubber-like materials, such asvarious soft resilient plastics. .Each plug 129 may be molded in onepiece.

' As shown, each plug 121) is generallyin the form of a circular disk orbody 122 having an annular peripheral groove 124 for receiving the topwall 198 of the can 26 around the corresponding opening 114 or 116.Annular flanges 126 and 123 project outwardly from the body 122 aboveand below the groove 124 for retaining the plug 129 in the opening 114or 116. At its bottom or inner extremity, the groove 124 preferably hasan out side diameter which is substantially greater than the diameter ofthe openings 114 and 116 so that the plug 120 will be compressed to asubstantial extent when it is inserted into one of the openings,Moreover, the width of the grove 124 at it bottom is preferablysubstantially less sence of the check valve 96, such reverse flow maytend to occur when the CO pressure from the cylinder 28 drops to a lowvalue or is lost entirely, as when the cylinder is exhausted or nearlyso. V

Each can 26 is provided with a second tapping pipe 98 through which thebeverage is conducted out of the can. A flexible hose 100 leads from thetapping pipe 98 to a pipe 102 which extends through the front panel 36to the corresponding faucet or valve lld. Each hose 1% may be made ofvarious plastics or other suitable materials. The hoses 100 are madelong enough to permit the swingable lid 36 to be raised fully, as shownin lFlG. 2. p

As shown to best advantage in FIG. 5, each of the illustrated cans 26 isof the usual type, made of thin sheet metal or equivalent material. Eachof the illustrated cans 26 has a capacity of one imperialgallon,'although cans It is preferred to possibility that the beveragewill become stale before,

being consumed. Thus, the dispenser is particularly well adapted for usein small taverns, soda fountains, and

homes. 1

Each of the illustrated cans 26 has a substantially cylindrical sidewall 1% which is closed at its opposite ends by upper and lower endwalls 1% and 11%. The end walls 108 and 11% may be corrugated to someextent but than the thickness of the top wall 193. Just above the groove124, the outwardly projecting flange 126 has an outwardly and upwardlyflaring frustoconical wall or surface 136 adapted to be compressedagaintthe top wall 108 so that the plug 129 will form a tight seal with thecorresponding opening.

To facilitate the insertion of. the plugs 12% into the openings 114and'116, the lower flangelzta of each plug is formed with a beveledfrustoconical downwardly tapering surface or wall 132. When the plug 12%is to be inserted into one of the openings 114 and 116, the lowerportion of the beveled surface 132 is inserted into the opening.Downward pressure is then applied to the plug 129 to force the flange128 through the opening. It will be understood that the flange 128 iscompressed to a considerable extent as it passes through the opening.The

'- flange 123 springs outwardly to its original shape after it has beenpressed below the lower wall 168.

Each of the illustrated plugs 120 has an imperforate axial diaphragm 134adapted to be penetrated by one of the tapping pipes 94 and 93. Thus,the plug 120 initially seals the corresponding opening 114 or 116st) asto prevent the beverage or the carbonation from escaping from the can.The plugs 12% are inserted immediatelyafterthe can 26 is filled and areeffective to seal the can while the can is being shipped from thefilling plant to the ultimate consumer, and until the beverage in thecan-istobe consumed.

As shown, the diaphragm 134is formed integrally with the body 122 and isinterposed between an upper axial boreor'opening 136 and a lower axialbore or opening 133. The upper bore 136; extends downwardlyinto the plug12% and is closed at its lower end by the diaphragm 134. The lower bore138 extends upwardly into the lower end of the plug 129 and is closed atits upper end by the diaphragm 134.

The upper bore 136 corresponds generally in diameter to the tappingpipes 94 and 93 and is adapted to guide one of the tapping pipes when itis inserted through the diaphragm 134. As shown, each of the tappingpipes 94 and 98 is cut off at its lower end along a diagonal or inclinedsurface 140 so as to provide a sharp edge or point 142 at the extremelower end of the pipe. The sharp edge 142 is adapted to puncture oneside portion of the diaphragm 134.

Just below the diaphragm 134, the lower bore 133 is formed with anenlarged annular recess or portion 144 which is adapted to receive theremnant of the diaphragm 134 after it has been punctured by the taperingpipe. As shown to best advantage in FIG. 6, the punctured diaphragmbecomes a flap which is flexed downwardly and becomes lodged in theannular recess 144 when the tapping pipe is pushed through the plug 120.The provision of the recess 144 prevents the diaphragm 13 5 from beingsevered entirely from the plug 120. If the diaphragm is severedentirely, it sometimes tends to clog the tapping pipe. Moreover, it isundesirable to permit the diaphram to drop into the beverage becausethere may be a possibility that the diaphragm, or a fragment thereof,may be dispensed through the faucet 14- with the beverage.

Each of the illustrated plugs 120 has a reduced sleeve or nipple portion148 which projects downwardly from the lower end of the body portion122. The lower bore 138 extends axially through the sieve portion 148.It is preferred that the diameter of the lower bore 138 be considerablyless than the diameter of the tapping pipes 94 and 98 so that the sleeveportion 14-3 will be stretched to a considerable extent when the tappingpipe is inserted through the bore 138. In this way, the sleeve portion148 tightly grips the tapping pipe so as to prevent the pipe from beingpushed outwardly through the plug 120 by the CO pressure in the can. Thegrip maintained by the sleeve portion 148 on the corresponding tappingpipe is due partly to the stretching of the sleeve portion and partly tothe pressure of the CO on the outside of the sleeve portion. Thepressure between the sleeve portion 148 and the tapping pipe alsoinsures that a tight seal will be maintained along the bore 138 betweenthe t-apping pipe and the plug 12%). A seal is flso provided at thepoint where the diaphragm 134 was punctured by the tapping pipe. Thus,any leakage of the CO or the beverage around either of the tapping pipesis pre vented.

As shown to best advantage in FIGS. 5 and 6, a stop washer or othermember 152 is preferably secured to the outside of each of the tappingpipes 94 and 93. The stop member 152 is adapted to engage the upper sideof the plug 120 so as to limit the extent to which the tapping pipe maybe inserted into the can 26. Thus, the tapping pipes may be insertedinto the can simply by pushing each pipe through the corresponding plug120 until the stop member or collar 152 engages the plug.

The beverage dispenser is efiective to maintain a constant CO pressurein each of the cans at all times. The CO pressure prevents any loss ofthe original carbonation so that the beverage will not go flat or stale.The CO also provides for the dispensing of the beverage under pressurefrom the faucets 14.

When either of the cans 26 is empty, the front door 30 is opened, thecorresponding shutoff valve 92 is closed, and the tapping pipes 94 and98 are removed from the empty can. The empty can is then replaced with afresh can which is tapped by forcing the tapping pipes 94 and 98 throughthe diaphragms 134 in the corresponding plugs 120. The shutoff valve 92is again opened and the door 30 is closed to restore the dispenser toits operating condition. v

The refrigerating coils 52 keep the main compartment 24 cool so that thebeverage will be dispensed from the cans 26 at the desired lowtemperature. It is preferred to pre-cool the fresh beverage cans in anordinary refrigerator so that the beverage will be at the desired lowtemperature when the cans are first mounted in the dispenser.

The arrangement whereby the cans are tapped through the rubber sealingplugs substantially obviates any possibility of contamination of thebeverage or spilling or loss of carbonation. The beverage is alwaysdispensed in a fresh fully carbonated condition.

Various other modifications, alternative constructions and equivalentsmay be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention, as exemplified in the foregoing description and defined inthe following claims.

I claim:

1. In a beverage dispenser,

the combination comprising a bottle for holding carbon dioxide underpressure,

a pressure reducing and regulating valve connected to said bottle,

a metal beverage can having a cylindrical side wall,

a bottom Wall and a substantially fiat top wall,

a faucet adapted to discharge the beverage,

said can having first and second substantially circular openings in saidtop wall,

first and second generally circular rubber plugs mounted in saidopenings,

each of said plugs having an annular peripheral groove for receiving theedge of said top Wall around the corresponding opening,

each of said plugs having flanges above and below said top wall forretaining said plug in the corresponding opening,

each plug having upper and lower axial bores extending into the upperand lower ends of said plug,

each plug in its initial state having an imperforate diaphragm formedintegrally therewith between said upper and lower bores,

a first tapping pipe for penetrating the diaphragm of said first plugand extending through said upper and lower bores thereof to admit carbondioxide to said can,

the lower end of said first pipe extending only a short distance belowsaid first plug into said can,

a first flexible hose connected between said regulating valve and saidfirst pipe for conducting carbon dioxide thereto,

a check valve connected into said first hose for preventing any reverseflow of the beverage from said can into said regulating valve,

a second tapping pipe for penetrating the diaphragm of said second plugand extending downwardly into said can to a point adjacent the bottomthereof,

and a second flexible hose connected between said second pipe and saidfaucet for carrying the beverage from said can to said faucet,

each of said pipes being tightly received in said lower bore of thecorresponding plug to form a seal with said plug,

each plug having a reduced nipple portion extending downwardly at itslower end and adapted to be pressed against the corresponding pipe bythe pressure of the carbon dioxide,

the second bore of each plug having an enlarged portion a short distancebelow said diaphragm for receiving the remnant of the diaphragm afterthe diaphragm is punctured by the corresponding tapping pipe.

2. A beverage container comprising a metal can having a generallycylindrical side wall,

a bottom wall connected to the lower end of said side wall,

a generally fiat top wall connected to the upper end of said side wall,

said top wall having first and second generally circular openingstherein,

and first and second rubberlike plugs mounted in said first and secondopenings and sealing said openings,

each plug having an annular peripheral groove therein receiving the topwall around the corresponding opening,

each plug having flanges about and below said top wall for retaining theplug in the corresponding opening,

each plug having upper and lower bores extending axially into the upperand lower ends thereof,

each plug having an imperforate diaphragm interposed between said upperand lower bores, a reduced sleeve portion on each plug projectingdownwardly therefrom around said lower bore, 7 said lower bore having anenlarged portion immediately below said diaphragm for receiving theremains of the diaphragm when punctured in tapping s-aid container.

3. A closure plug for a can,

said'plug comprising a plug member formed in one piece from softresilient rubberlike material,

said member being generally circular in cross section and having anannular peripheral groove therein,

annular flanges on said plug member above and below said groove, e

upper and lower generally cylindrical openings extending axially intothe upper and lower ends of said member,

said member having an imperforate diaphragm interposed between saidupper and lower openings,

a reduced sleeve portion'projecting downwardly from said member aroundsaid lower opening,

and an enlarged annular recess in said lower opening immediately belowsaid diaphragm for receiving the remains of the diaphragm when puncturedby a tapping pipe or the like.

4. A can having a wall with an opening therein,

a soft resilientrubberlike plug received in said opening for initiallysealing said can,

means on said plug for retaining said plug in said openan axial boreextending upwardly partway through said plug from the lower end thereof,

said plug having an imperforate diaphragm closing the upper end of saidbore,

a reduced sleeve portion extending downwardly from said plug around saidbore,

a tapping pipe extending downwardly into said can through said diaphragmandsaid bore,

the initial diameter of said bore within said sleeve portion beingsubstantially smaller than the diameter of said pipe whereby said sleeveportion is stretched substantially around said pipe when said pipe isinserted through said bore,

said sleeve portion thereby tightly gripping said pipe,

said bore having an enlarged portion adjacent the upper end thereof andimmediately below said diaphragm for receiving the partially severedremnant of the diaphragm when punctured by said pipe.

5. Aclosure plug for a can,

said plug comprising a plug member of soft resilient rubberlikematerial,

said member being generally circular in cross section,

upper and lower generally cylindrical openings extending axially intothe upper and lower ends of said member, p

said member having an imperforate diaphragm interposed between saidupper and lower openings,

and an enlarged annular recess in said lower opening immediately belowsaid diaphragm for receiving the a remains of the diaphragm whenpunctured by a tapping pipe or the like.

" a generally cylindrical opening extending axially into the lower endof said member, said member having an imperforate diaphragm closing theupper end of said opening,

' and an enlarged annular recess in said opening immediately below saiddiaphragm for receiving the remains of the diaphragm when punctured by atapping pipe or the like.

7. A closure plug for a can,

said plug comprising 'a plug member formed from soft resilientrubberlike material, said member being generally circular in crosssection, a generally cylindrical opening extending axially into thelower end of said member, said member having an imperforatediaphragmclosing the upper end of said opening, a reduced sleeve portionprojecting downwardly from said member around said opening, and anenlarged annular recess in said opening immediately below said diaphragmfor receiving the remains of the diaphragm when punctured by a tappingpipe or the like. 8. A can having a wall with an opening therein, a softresilient rubberlike plug received in said opening for initially sealingsaid can, means on said plug for retaining said plug in said opens, anaxial bore extending upwardly part way through said plug from the lowerend thereof, I said plug having an imperforate diaphragm closing theupper end of said bore,

and'a tapping pipe extending downwardly into'said can through saiddiaphragm and said bore,

said bore having an enlarged portion adjacent the upper end thereof andimmediately below said diaphragm for receiving the partially severedremnant of the diaphragm when punctured by said pipe.

9. In a beverage dispenser, V

the combination comprising a tank for holding carbon dioxide underpressure,

a pressure reducing and regulating valve connected to said tank, V

a metal beverage can having a cylindrical side wall with a botom walland a top wall secured thereto,

a faucet adapted to discharge the beverage,

said can having firstand second substantially circular openings in saidtop wall,

first and second generally circular rubberlike plugs mounted in saidopenings, each plug in its initial state'having an imperforate diaphragmportion,

a first tapping pipe penetrating the diaphragmof said first plug andextending into said can to admit carbon dioxide to said can,

the lower end of said first pipe extending only a short distance belowsaid first plug into said can,

a first flexible hose connected between said regulating valve and saidfirst pipe for conducting carbon dioxide thereto,

a check valve connected into said first hose for preventing any reverseflow of the. beverage from said can into said regulating valve,

a second tapping pipe penetrating the diaphragm of said second plug andextending downwardly into said can to a. point adjacent the'bottomthereof,

and a second flexible hose connected between said second pipe and saidfaucet for carrying the beverage from said can to said faucet.

10. In a beverage dispenser,

the combination comprising a tank for holding carbon dioxide underpressure,

a pressure reducing and regulating valve connected to said tank,

a metal beverage can having a cylindrical side wall with a bottom walland a top wall secured thereto,

a faucet adapted to discharge the beverage,

first and second tapping pipes extending into said beverage can throughsaid top wall,

tapping plug means for sealing said tapping pipes into said top Wall,

the lower end of said first tapping pipe extending only a short distancebelow said top wall and into said can,

said second tapping pipe extending downwardly into said can to a pointadjacent the bottom wall thereof,

a first flexible hose connected between said regulating valve and saidfirst tapping pipe for conducting carbon dioxide thereto,

a check valve connected into said first hose for preventing any reversefiow of the beverage from said can into said regulating valve,

and a second flexible hose connected between said second faucet forcarrying the beverage from said can to said faucet.

11. In a beverage dispenser,

the combination comprising a tank for holding carbon dioxide underpressure,

a pressure reducing and regulating valve connected to said tank,

a metal beverage can having a cylindrical side wall with a bottom walland a top wall secured thereto,

a faucet adapted to discharge the beverage,

first and second tapping pipes extending into said beverage can throughsaid top wall,

means for removably sealing said tapping pipes into said top wall,

the lower end of said first tapping pipe extending only a short distancebelow said top wall and into said can,

said second tapping pipe extending downwardly into said can to a pointadjacent the bottom wall thereof,

a first flexible hose connected between said regulating valve and saidfirst tapping pipe for conducting carbon dioxide thereto,

a check valve connected into said first hose for pre venting any reverseflow of the beverage from said can into said regulating valve,

and a second flexible hose connected between said second faucet forcarrying the beverage from said can to said faucet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,400,955 5/46Samel 222131 X 2,630,259 3/53 Stein et al. 222-131 X 2,773,722 12/56Abplanalp 22282 2,834,190 5/58 Andrews et al. 222l29.1 X 2,851,201 9/58Poitras et al. 222541 X 2,956,418 10/60 McCann.

3,004,687 10/61 Gerfen 222-82 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J, DEMBO, Examiner.

5. A CLOSURE PLUG FOR A CAN, SAID PLUG COMPRISING A PLUG MEMBER OF SOFTRESILIENT RUBBERLIKE MATERIAL, SAID MEMBER BEING GENERALLY CIRCULAR INCROSS SECTION, UPPER AND LOWER GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL OPENINGS EXTENDINGAXIALLY INTO THE UPPER AND LOWER ENDS OF SAID MEMBER, SAID MEMBER HAVINGAN IMPERFORATE DIAPHRAGM INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWEROPENINGS, AND AN ENLARGED ANNULAR RECESS IN SAID LOWER OPENINGIMMEDIATELY BELOW SAID DIAPHRAGM FOR RECEIVING THE REMAINS OF THEDIAPHRAGM WHEN PUNCTURED BY A TAPPING PIPE OR THE LIKE.